montenegro cities kotor

Through the entire city the buildings are criss-crossed with narrow

streets and squares. At one of them there is the Cathedral of Sveti

Tripun , a monument of Roman culture and one of the most

recognisable symbols of the city. The Church of Sveti Luka (13th

century), Church Sveta Ana (12th century) Church Sveta Marija

(13th century), Church Gospe od Zdravlja (15th century), the

Prince’s Palace (17th century) and the Napoleon Theatre (19th

century) are all treasures that are part of the rich heritage of Kotor.

Carnivals and fiestas are organised each year to give additional

charm to this most beautiful city of the Montenegrin littoral. You

simply can not afford to miss a visit to Kotor.

Located along one of Montenegro's most beautiful bays is Kotor, a

city of traders and famous sailors, with many stories to tell. The Old

City of Kotor is a well preserved urbanisation typical of the Middle

Ages, built between the 12th and 14th century. Medieval architec-

ture and numerous monuments of cultural heritage have made

Kotor an UNESCO listed “World Natural and Historical Heritage

Site".

city kotor Kotor Top 51. Old Town2. Perast

3. Gospa od Skrpjela4. Fortress Sveti Ivan5. Maritime Museum

At one moment they came to an idea to measure 10 lengths with the plaque, and so they did. When they measured the

required length, they started to dig a small hole in the ground and they found some kind of a small chest.They tried to open

it, but to their astonishment, the chest opened by itself. At the bottom of the chest with golden letters it was written "this is

everyone goodness". For a long time they thought what they should do?! Whether to stay where they are, or to continue their

journey? Still, as the message was like some kind of a vow, they stayed in the place where they have found the message. At

the same place they quickly made a cottage, and went to sleep. During the night something very strange happened. From

the wooden chest, some new shiny letters glimmered. The new message said: "Wish whatever you want before sleep"!!! As

both of the travelers from the beginning of the story were poor, they wished for nice stone houses and beautiful wives.

Legend

Kotor is a town with many diverse stories and legends. Its almost

every part, every stone with which its streets are paved, palaces

which surround certain parts of the town, monuments which it has,

can tell a very nice story, a true story or some catch. Already when

we pronounce the word Kotor, we immediately recollect other parts

(lodgments), which are also parts of Kotor like: Perast, Prcanj,

Risan, Dobrota etc. So when we are mentioning Dobrota, here is a

story about its foundation: Two travelers, who were traveling

around the world, came to the grey sea. As they were already

exhausted from the long trip, they sat on some kind of a rock to get

some rest and to refresh themselves. One of them moved a little bit

t a side and noticed a plaque with some inscription on it. The

inscription said: "Measure 10 lengths dig and stop". When they

read that, they wondered what could that be, so they started to

guess together what that instruction could mean.

When they woke up in the morning they were speechless. They saw a white castle and a woman on the window looking towards

the sea. They immediately moved into the new home, and continued to live in ease. Since that, every night before they went to

sleep they wished for another nice house, of which every morning one emerged.

Culture

Kotor is surely the most famous Montenegrin town when we are talking about culture and cultural landmarks. At the end of XIX

century, Kotor, that is bay of Boka Kotorska or the southern fiord, as that bay is lately called, because of its unsurpassable beauty,

got the epithet of the Bride of Adriatic. Its amazing beauty comes from the blue sea, stony shore, the slopes of the most famous

Montenegrin Mountain Lovcen, greenery, which with the rocks above the bulwarks of the Old Kotor creates unusual natural

colors. Its beauty is also created by the serpentines toward the fortress San Djovani (St. Giovanni) or Sveti Ivan (St. Ivan),

medieval palaces, old town, and unavoidable, always cheerful spirit of inhabitants, whatever nation or religion they are. Kotor has

been a challenge for every tourist for centuries. Not so much in the sense of tourism, as it was challenging as a town of great

cultural value with monuments of culture from the past, like its churches and cathedrals are. On every step that to you lay through

the Old Kotor town you can for a while, at least through imagination, go back to Middle century, baroque age or the period when

No matter from which doors or entrance in Old Kotor you are

coming, the asymmetrical structure of the narrow streets and

squares has numerous medieval monuments. Not just monumental

edifices like the churches, cathedrals or museum monuments, but

also with the ornament not only on the culturally – historical but

also on the ordinary edifices, like family houses in which people still

live. On the large number of family houses it is still very easy to

notice the marks of the past epochs. Mostly those are ornaments

that usually testify about the Roman Empire on these territories.

You can see Roman marks, like numbers, sentences, lion charac-

ters, dragons, snakes etc… All around you can see baroque

windows, big walls and richly and skillfully decorated arches. In

Kotor there are also numerous palaces: palace Drago, with Gothic

windows from the XV century; palace Bizanti from the XII century;

palace Pima, with typical shapes of renascence and baroque, from

the XVI century; palace Grubonja, with a coat of arms of the old

Kotor pharmacy, founded in 1326 year; palace Grgurin from the

XVII century, which today is the building of the Maritime museum,

as well as the Sat kula (Clock tower) dating from the XVI century,

beside which there is a medieval pillory.

the pirates reined the world coasts. If you are for the first time in Kotor, the impression that you will have, we are sure, will be more

convincing that the adventures from the movies that you have seen, or the books that you have read about those ages, or about

this town. It has the tracks of Illyrian, and Roman culture, as well as pre Roman, Roman, Gothic, renascence, and baroque culture.

Old town is counted into the Mediterranean towns with best preserved medieval urban settlement from the XII to XIV century, and

is included in the list of the world cultural inheritance under the protection of UNESCO. The Old town Kotor is on the list of UNESCO

of the world cultural inheritance, since 1979. The medieval town Kotor is situated on the very end of the Bay of Boka Kotorska.

Today Kotor is the biggest old urban settlement in Montenegro.

Churches, Cathedrals and Palaces

What Kotor is most famous for is the old town cathedral of Sveti Tripun (St. Tirpun). That temple is mentioned for the first time in IX

century, when the relics of the Sveti Tirpun, who died in martyrdom in the era of the Roman emperor Decije, in the III century, were

brought in it. The chroniclers testify that that temple most probably disappeared in the fire, in the X century, and it was rebuilt in the

XII century. The cathedral of Sveti Tripun was built in the Romanic style, with the elements of the Byzantium architecture. It survived

several earthquakes, so its appearance also changed. Especially visible on the cathedral are the elements of renascence and

baroque. European Union and organization Europa Nostra, gave in the year 2002 to the cathedral a diploma for the great reconstruc-

tion and great seismic security measures of the oldest Romanic cathedral on the Adriatic coast. As the most important monument

and symbol of the Old town, the cathedral of Sveti Tripun, ahs a rich treasury of the precious tings among which we have: a gilded

altar, baroque frescoes, and a great number of ornaments of great value. The church of Sveti Nikola is the most significant

Orthodox Church in Kotor.

The oldest archeologically noted edifice that originates

from the VI century A.D. is the early Christian basilica

found under the church of Sveta Marija Koledjate (St.

Marija Koledjate) or Gospa od zdravlja (Virgin of health) in

the immediate vicinity of the main town doors of the Old

Kotor. Already in the Xi century Kotor gets its protector,

Sveti Tripun (St. Triune) in whose honor the cathedral,

which is today considered to be a symbol of Kotor, is

being built. Cultural richness of Kotor is invaluable. The

treasury of the town hides the most significant cultural

monuments like: Sat Kula (Watch tower) from the VIII

century, Cathedral of Sveti Tripun (St. Tripun) from the XII

century, Church of Sveti Luka (St. Luc) from the XII century,

Prince’s palace from the XVII century, Church of Sveta

Marija (St. Maria) from the XII century, Church of Gospa od

zdravlja (Virgin of health) from the XV century, and

Napoleon’s theater from the XIX century. Kotor is

surrounded by the town bulwarks, that is, the walls,

around the town, walls above the town, and the walls

around the hill as well as the fortress Sveti Ivan (San

Djovani) on the top of the hill, which has the same name.

It is located in the North part of the town; it was built at the beginning of the XX century, on the basis of the old edifice which

was ruined in the fire in the XIX century. Nearby is the church treasury with a rich fund of icons, artistic crafts, documents and

church gowns. The church owns other numerous valuable things which were mostly given by the wealthy Kotor families. The

church of Sveti Luka is also situated in the old town. It was built during the reign of the Serbian dynasty Nemanjic, at the en

of the XII century. Until the middle of the XVII century the church of Sveti Luka was the main catholic temple, in order for it to

become an Orthodox Church facility after the war with the Turks. It turned into an Orthodox Church because the number of

the Orthodox people in Kotor suddenly increased. Still, catholic believers had their altar in that temple until the first half of

the XIX century. In the middle part of the Old town there is church Sveti Mihailo (St. Michael), which has the present day

appearance from the end of the XIV century. The archeological remains show that on the place of the today’s church of Sveti

Mihailo, there used to be a significantly larger edifice in the XII century. In the east part of Old Kotor, is church of Sveta Ana.

Considering the fact that it was added onto several times, it can not be determined precisely when was it built. The experts

for the reconstruction of the old edifices have still managed to some to the record that the older part of the church of Sveta

Ana, was built in XIII century, and the newer one in the XIV century. The church is characterized by several saints to whom it

was dedicated: Sevti Martin, Sveta Venerada and today Sveta Ana. The interior of the Old town in Kotor is characteristic by

the famous church of Sveta Marija Koledjate (The Lady of Health), in Kotor more famous by the name Sveta Ozana. It was

built at the beginning of the XIII century. During the centuries it had several changes. Under that church researchers have

discovered the oldest archeological edifice that was ever found – an early Christian basilica from the VI century A.D. Among

the numerous monuments, in Old town of Kotor, there are also churches of Sveti Josip (St. Joseph), Gospa od Andjela (Lady

of Angels), and Sveti Pavle (St. Pavli). To the monuments in the Old town of Kotor we should add a city tower which originates

from the XVII century, with the pillory in front of it, and a clock mechanism which is a part of the edifice. Nearby the tower is

also the Tower of the city watch. Prince’s palace, and the City Theatre, which was the first theatre that started to work in the

XIX century on the Balkans.

PALACES

Kotor is famous by numerous palaces, which are characteristic by the Romanic and baroque ornaments, wall decorations

and a great number of the heraldry of the families by whom the palaces got their names or to whom they belonged to. Among

numerous palaces we have some that stand out. Palace Bizanti, in the Romanic style, is situated next to the Tower of the

City watch, and it originates from the XIV century. Baroque palace Grgurin, is found in the central part of the Old town. It was

built at the beginning of the XVIII century. The famous Kotor family Buca, has built a palace Buca in the XIV century, which

during the centuries has been added onto several times, and later it belonged to the family Pskvali. In the vicinity we also

have one of the most noble city houses, which originate from the XIV century, palace Vrakjen. That palace mostly retained its

original appearance. In the vicinity of the cathedral Sveti Tripun is palace Drago, which was built in the Xv century, in baroque

and Gothic style. Still, according to the opinion of many people, the most beautiful Kotor palace is the palace Pima, which is

characteristic by its Gothic style, and some baroque elements. Pima family, which owned the same named palace, lived in

Kotor from Xiv to XVIII century. The present day appearance palace got at the end of the XVII century

Hotels & Accommodation

According to the latest data of the Ministry of Tourism of Montenegro, in Kotor there are 10 hotels that are working during

the whole year. Almost all hotels in Kotor have the necessary tourist standards and they fulfill the criteria of the modern

tourists and guests. Most of them have their own parking lots, open and indoor pools, halls for various types of recreation,

gardens for rest or lunch, rent – a- car service etc. The hotels along the sea shore have also the improvised mostly stone

beaches, on which you can relax lying down in easy chairs under hotel parasols. When you decide to spend your summer

vacation in Kotor, the guests mostly spend their holiday in hotels: "Splendido", "Teuta", Fjord", or "Vardar". 5 Kotor hotels at

the moment has 2 stars, there are hotels with 3 stars, and only one hotel facility, according to the marks of expert commis-

sions for standardization and categorization, has earned 4 stars. The most comfortable, according to the marks of the

commissions for hotel keeping, and the most beautiful of all Kotor hotels, is Hotel "Splendido", which has 4 stars, and is

situated in Prcanj, close to Kotor. That is a hotel more recently built. It got the name "Splendido" by the sail boat that has the

same name.

It was the sail boat of the famous Kotor seamen Ivo Vizin, who became famous by his accomplishment from the XIX century,

sailing around the world. Whether they are situated next to the Kotor shore, or close to it, beside the nicely arranged interior

and exterior, which means the horticultural arrangement, from the hotel rooms the view goes on the far blue open sea, big

anchored boats, and local fisherman that are sailing out in their quest for the fish etc… If you are interested for the rest in

private arrangement, you are offered a smaller number of hotels, houses and apartments for rent. Their number is still not

precisely determined. It is considered that there are about several hundred renting places. The leasers of the private accom-

modation are mostly advertising themselves through private tourist agencies, or by Internet. The prices in those facilities are

pretty lower compared to the hotel prices. For those for whom comfort, along with the exclusivity and enjoyment is on the

first place, they have at their disposal numerous villas, newly built or those that used to be magnificent edifices, palace for

reception of gentlemen and guests. Such objects will be easily found by the rich guests.

Recreation

If you are looking for an ideal place for rest from the fast way

of life, then you mandatory have to visit Kotor. The morning life

is pretty much fixed, and all the streets, of both Old town and

city Riva, in the evenings become over flown with the walkers

and all those to whom nights out represent a rule which is not

to be broken. The main place where everyone meets is city

Riva, along which you can often see the people that you have

just met or where you can make new contacts and acquaint-

ances. From the city Riva further on you have a narrow traffic

street or the "lower road " towards the place called Dobrota,

which is about 7 km long, and is ideal for walkers, bicycle

riders as well as for jogging. During the summer especially

interesting places are Prcanj, Stoliv, Perast, and Risan. Those

places are found from both sides of Kotor harbor. It is as if

they were made for the lovers of relaxation and quietude.

Considering the fact that in Kotor there are bi sandy beaches,

you can easily get a ride to some of the Tivat beaches by taxis,

taxi vans, barges or boats. In Tivat the beaches are numerous

but we will leave the choice to you. We will only suggest some

of them: Plavi horizonti, Kalardovo, or Oblatno.

If that is not the destination to which you wish to go, you can go towards Herceg Novi, and spend a pleasant summer

day in that town. For swimming and sun bathing outside Kotor, we are of course suggesting the metropolis of tourism,

Budva. Up to Budva there are 25 km and to Herceg Novi 35 km. When you are on vacation everything is close, it is up to

you to choose with what type of transportation you will reach the desired destination: taxi, taxi van, taxi boat, or barge,

or maybe with your own car. Also during the summer longer trips are organized by the traveler’s ship "Jovan" which

during the whole season is anchored in Kotor harbor and offers cruising towards Herceg Novi or through Tivat and Budva

towards Bar. Kotor is also a sports town. It is most famous by water polo, because for a long time they have the water

polo school "Primorac".

That club owns an indoor Olympic pool and the open pool in the sea which is close to Kotor harbor. In Kotor there is also

a football stadium and as well as the terrains for little sports. In the recent years in Kotor the sailing competition has been

revived. Regattas are being organized, and in the sailing club "Lahor" (Breeze) once again we have successful sailors

growing. There is also a diving club "Zubatac" (Dentex) in which you have a possibility of renting the gear. Next to the

channel of bay of Boka Kotorska, the water is calm and in the last few winters, that is an ideal place for preparations of

the oarsmen, mostly teams from Russia. Kotor is an interesting place for the mountain lovers. Towards the peak Sveti

Ivan (St. Ivan), above Kotor, you have a path for the funs of hiking. The path goes further towards curve Krstac on the

mountain Lovcen (height 965 m), where from you go further towards Pestingrad (1098 m) or towards the Jezerski vrh

((Lake Peak)1657 m), second highest on Lovcen, where the magnificent mausoleum of Petra II Petrovic Njegos,

Montenegrin ruler and poet, is situated. Such hikes are organized by the Kotor club "Pestigrad" which is working with

great dedication on the development of the free climbing and marking of the paths in Kotor and the surrounding for hiking.

In Kotor there is also a city park, beside the sea. It has the accessories for children, with a lot of benches for rest.

Events

The faithful devotees to culture, as well as the organizers of the manifestations in the open, have been trying for years to

bring to Kotor as many tourists and guests, who are more than thrilled with numerous happenings, like traditional Kotor

manifestations are: carnivals, masked balls, fisherman’s or religious fiestas, numerous cultural events intended for all

generations. If those are the reasons for your visit to Kotor, than quickly and easily, at one place, and in one town, you

will fell the cheeriness, good mood and you will fill your senses with positive energy. People from Kotor will agree in the

notion that the calendar year in their town stars with positive vibrations, contributing in such way that all following days

in Kotor are spent in joy and celebration..

Festival of the underwater movie

Festival of the underwater movie – for several years in Kotor during June, there is an introspection of the movies which

were made to promote the richness of the sea aquatorium of Montenegro, and also to depict through the screen the

underwater of Montenegro and the allures of diving and research of the sea bottom. Except the movies from Montenegro

at the introspection you can see movies about the underwater from the countries from the surrounding and also from

some European countries.

Kotor’ summer fiestas

Kotor’ summer fiestas – take place during July. For the funs of god sound, classic and spiritual music, chamber and

instrumental music, the most interesting festivity is KOTOR PRO ARTE. That manifestation is marked by the concerts

that are usually held in Kotor churches, and concert halls. The devotees of culture are given the possibility to hear many

concerts of great world music creators. The halls for concert music in Kotor, on those days, are filled with the sounds of

music which used to be performed in the European courts.

Day of Sveti Tripun (St. Tripun)

The festivities on the occasion of the day of Sveti Tripun (St. Tripun) – a recently renewed tradition, which originates from

the IX century. The festivities in the glory of the protector of the town, Sveti Tripun, start at the beginning of January, and

they end in the first days of February. On the location in front of the old Kotor Cathedral of Sveti Tripun, Boka Navy first

dances a folk circle, then it is followed by a mass, and a procession through the town. The festivities are followed by the

review of church choirs, city music, and dances of the folklore ensembles. The believers and those who respect the cult

of Sveti Tripun can bow to the relics that are kept and preserved in the Cathedral that carries the name of Sveti Tripun.

Camellia’s days

Camellia’s days – manifestation, for which hardworking Kotor’s housewives and flower growers from Boka Kotorska

prepare themselves over the entire year. That manifestation is held in March. In the honor of a beautiful flower, camellia,

which during the spring decorates all Kotor gardens, exhibitions of flowers are being held, art exhibitions, theater plays

and many other things. Still, the most significant thing to point out is the "Camellia’s ball" and the selection of the Lady

of camellia. Usually that is some famous female personality, whom the social engagement, and sacrifice and the achieve-

ments in the previous year make a candidate for the title of the "Lady of Camellia".

Kotor carnival

Kotor carnival – is held in February. The tradition of organizing of carnival

fiestas was interrupted in the period of the WW II. The organization of the

carnivals again began in 1960’s and it lasts until nowadays. Carnival fiesta

and the entertainment in Kotor are originally called "FESTANJE"

(CELEBRATION). Months before the carnival original masks are being

sown. As the mask is a parody to reality masks are more and more interest-

ing from year to year. Except the carnival, we have the happenings on the

Kotor’s Riva, streets, squares, hotels which include mask balls for children

and adults, with the tasting of the specialties of the Kotor cuisine, music

concerts and theater plays. Traditional Kotor carnival fiestas are the

greatest entertainment manifestation in Montenegro. Kotor carnival is

visited by several thousands of people. Except the carnival troupes from

Kotor and other coastal towns of Montenegro, Kotor carnival receives

many carnival groups from Europe and the world.

Bokeska noc (Boka’s night)

Bokeska noc (Boka’s night) – is another August manifestation in Kotor, known for the boat defile, which are being

decorated for days. The boats cruise along the Kotor harbor, in a defile, decorated with the lampions. At the same time

when the decorated barges move one behind the other slowly, on Kotor squares we have party, music, dance and joyous

atmosphere. At the end of the night the best decorated barge is being chosen, and Boka’s night ends with a solemn

fireworks.

International music clapper meeting

International music clapper meeting – music festivity held at the end of August, which has the meeting of the competitors

in the clapper singing. This festivity is held in the place called Perast, close to Kotor. Clapper singing is a special kind of

musical expression, that is, of singing, which is common for the areas of the South Adriatic, that is, it is prevalent in

Dalmatia, and Boka Kotorska. The clappers from Montenegro are joined by the clappers from Croatia, in the traditional

folk singing. Manifestation usually lasts for three days, and it has the characteristics of a competition.

Among the first, Kotor started the organization of the New Year’s holidays in the open. People from Kotor are still loyal to

that tradition. During the several days of the New Year’s holidays (31st December, 1st and 2nd January), people from

Kotor are being entertained on the Kotor squares by the local pop, rock and other music bands and gatherings. Those

are mostly young, and most probably future great Montenegrin talents.

International fashion festival

International fashion festival – during July Kotor is more and more recognized for fashion happenings. The fashion festival

lasts for several days and it gathers fashion designers from Montenegro, surrounding countries and from abroad. The

dominant creators are the renowned Italian creators and their newest creations. The introspection of fashion exists in

Kotor for already several years, and until now among others it received: Dolce & Gabanna, Pal Zileri, Prada, Armani, Ferre,

Versace etc. Beside the devotes of modern fashion trends and nice dressing, on those days Kotor is also a meeting place

of businessman, actors, owners of the fashion industries, and other personalities from the world of jet set.

Fasinada

Fasinada – is another manifestation, which is held in July in Kotor, more specifically in the place called Perast. The

festivity includes the ritual procession which is made of decorated boats and barges, which traditionally goes around the

Island Gospa od Skrpjela in Perast. The festivity of FASINADA includes also the traditional decant of stones, which are

brought to the island by the barges, and then thrown out around the shore. The festivity, which is followed by the folk

music, is performed by men solely. According to an old custom, in the evening hours on the island a fish dinner is being

prepared. August in Kotor is also in the sign of numerous festivities. The atmosphere of the winter happenings, into the

summer ones, is being transferred by the INTERNATIONAL SUMMER FESTIVAL, held in August. Like the winter carnival,

the summer carnival is intended for fun and celebration in the streets and on the squares of Kotor. This manifestation has

been created in the last few years, in order to depict to the tourists the pleasure of the street parties and to give them the

possibility of sensing the spirit of Kotor and the joy which lasts in that town for centuries. Numerous carnival groups take

part in the carnival, and on those days Kotor is a reminder that with certainty it is a town of great importance.